title: The effect of work-time influence on health and well-being: a quasi-experimental intervention study among eldercare workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of work-time influence on stress and energy, work-family conflicts, lifestyle factors, and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a quasi-experimental intervention study with a one-year follow-up among eldercare workers (baseline: n = 309; follow-up: n = 297). The nine work units in the intervention group designed their own intervention. We categorized these work units into three subgroups according to the interventions that they initiated: (A) self-scheduling via a computer program (n = 35), (B) setting up a task group that developed a questionnaire on work-time preference and participated in a one-day course on flexible working hours with the intention to increase employee influence on the fixed rota (n = 62), and (C) discussions of how employee work-time influence could be increased (n = 25). These subgroups were compared with a reference group consisting of ten work units (n = 187). Data consisted of questionnaires, blood samples, and measurements of waist and hip circumference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The employees in subgroup A became increasingly involved in the planning of their own work schedule. Nevertheless, we found no effect on health and well-being attributable to the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of self-scheduling can successfully increase employee work-time influence. Yet, this study does not support the theory that increased work-time influence leads to better health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Copenhagen, Denmark. kirsten.nabe-nielsen@sund.ku.dk
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nabe-Nielsen
authors.forename: Anne Helene
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Garde
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diderichsen
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers